Royle equals Tim Bentley’s feat to win five Nepean events – although Bentley still has the bragging rights of five straight wins between 1992 and 1996 – in a race first won by Greg Reddan and Gabrielle Howard in 1982.

The 28-year old Royle headed fellow 2016 Olympian Ryan Bailie and Wollongong youngster Max Stapley – running past four times women’s winner Ashleigh Gentle on the run home to take the overall handicap win.

It was the final 10km run where Royle cleared away after he and Stapley had led out of the water, opening up a sizeable lead over Bailie, who knuckled down on the bike, passing Stapley.

But it was Royle, who has been preparing for his end of year tilt at the Nepean-Noosa (November 4) double, who proved too slick in the run around the Nepean River.

“I did get off to a good start on the bike and pushed hard, getting out in front on my own, knowing I just had to try and hang ahead of Sam Douglas, Max and Bailie and although I did open up a decent lead you never know how much it has taken out of you,” said Royle.